Bookholder



Feb. 10," 1953 M. L. SAECKER BOOKHOLDER Filed NOV. 15, 1950 INVENTORMargami b Saecfier @ZMW ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 10, 1953 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE BOOKHOLDER Margaret L. Saecker, West Englewood, N. J.Application November 15, 1950, Serial No. 195,864

4 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in a book holder, particularlya cookbook holder designed to maintain a cookbook in a readily visibleposition and to be moved, when not in use, to an inconspicuous position.

It is an object of this invention to provide a book holder which canreadily be moved to maintain a cookbook or other book in any desiredvisible position and which holder can also readily be moved to aninconspicuous position, when not in use.

Another object is to provide such book holder which is simple inconstruction, particularly in that it comprises relatively few parts andthus is inexpensive to make and which functions to hold the book in adesired position where the user can easily observe the instructionstherein leaving the user free to use both hands, for example, in mixinga recipe.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description thereof.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification andshowing, for purposes of exemplification, preferred forms of thisinvention without limiting the claimed invention to such illustrativeinstances,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a book holder embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken in a plane passing through line 2-2of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken in a plane passing through line 3-3of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken in a plane passing through line 44of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevation partly in section showing a modifiedform of bracket mounting;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevation partly in section showing stillanother modified form of bracket mounting; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the relative positionof a kitchen cabinet, work table or bench and the book holder, thelatter being shown in full lines in one position to which it may bemoved when in use and in dotted lines in an inconspicuous position towhich it may be moved when not in use.

In the drawing [0, I 1 indicate horizontally disposed brackets havingrespectively depending legs I2, I53. These brackets desirably areprovided with openings l4 for use in attaching the brackets to theunderside l5 (Figure '1} of a kitchen cabinet 16 which may be spacedabove a work table or bench II as conventional in modern kitchens.

Legs I2 and 43, in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1,support bearings l8 and I9, respectively. These bearings desirably arein the form of cylinders into one end of each of which horizontally bentterminal portion 20 (Figure 2) of each leg extends. As shown in Figure2, the terminal portion 20 of each leg is suitably secured, as bywelding or otherwise, to the bearing in which it is disposed so that thelatter is fixed on the depending leg of the bracket.

Pivotally mounted in bearings l8 and I9, respectively, are lateralextensions 2| and 22 of a crossbar 23 of a substantially flat tray orbook support 24. In the illustrative example of Figure 1, book support24 is in the form of a wire or rod member consisting of side rods 25, 26integrally connected with the top crossbar 23 and a lower or frontupstanding crossbar 21. Connecting wires or rods 28 extend from the topcrossbar 23 to the lower crossbar 21. The lower or front crossbar 21provides a stop or abutment for the forward edge of the book 29, asshown in Figure 1. It will be understood that instead of the wire or rodconstruction disclosed in the drawing, the book supporting member 24 maybe of substantially fiat, light-weight metal, plastic or other suitablematerial of construction desirably having an upstanding lower edge whichprovides a stop or abutment for the lower edge of the book.

A third horizontally extending bracket 30 is also adapted to be securedto the underside of the cabinet or other supporting surface by means ofscrews or other fasteners passing through the openings 3| therein.Depending from this bracket 30 is a link 32, the lower end of which ispivoted to the upper end of a link 33 having its lower end secured toside rod 26. This pivotal connection, as best shown in Figure 3,comprises a threaded pin or bolt 34 having a nut 35 which is arranged toclamp depending end of link 32 to the upper end of link 33 throughanintermediate friction washer 36, desirably afiber washer. Links 32 and33 are thus maintained in clamping engagement through washer 36 tomaintain the book support 24 in any position of adjustment. Normallyfriction washer 36 permits pivotal movement of the book support 24 inbearings I3 and I9 to any desired position of adjustment as well as tothe inconspicuous position beneath the cabinet shown in dotted lines inFigure 7 when the book is not in use without necessitating movement ofnut 35 to permit such 3 positioning of the book support. However, aftercontinued use, due to wear, it may be necessary occasionally to tightenthe nut 35 to maintain the book support in a desired position.

Spring clips 37 are positioned, preferably at both the sides and theforward edge of the book support 24, to engage the leaves of the openbook and maintain the book in any desired open position. These clips mayeach be in the form of a spring :steel or other flexible finger 38(Figure 4) pivoted under spring tension on a suitable pin 39 carried ina housing 40. The housing of each clip may be suitably secured to thebook support as by welding, brazing, etc.

In the modification shown in Eigure .5 thesupporting bracket 4!,corresponding to brackets NJ, II, has a depending leg 42 which hasformediim tegral therewith a bearing member 43. Crossbar 44 of the booksupport, corresponding to crossbar 23 .of Figure 1, isprovided with apin 35 rotatably mounted in the bearing member 43 and also has a collar46 which engages one side of the bearing member 43, ,as shown in Figure5. The construction of Figure 5, it will be understood, involves asupporting bracket and pivoted links connecting the bracket with theside of the book support corresponding .to bracket 30 and links 32, 33shown in Figure 1.

In the modification of Figure 6, a supporting bracket 41, correspondingto brackets ill and H of Figure 1, is employed. Two such brackets '4?are used, one at each side of the book support.

,"Eachfbracke'tlhas-a depending leg d8 formed with .a bearing extension4'5 provided with an'opening '50 through which passes threaded end 5% ofa crossbar 52 corresponding to crossbar 23 of Fig- ,ure 1. .A collar ordisc 53 is disposed near each cndof crossbar 52. Between each collar andthe contiguous bearing member 49 is positioned a friction washer 54. Awing nut 55 is in threaded engagement with each threaded end 5! of the.crossbar. By suitably tightening the wing nuts I55 on the opposite endsof the crossbar 52, the .book support may be maintained in any desiredposition to which it may be moved. Normally the .frictional engagementbetween washers 54, collars 53 and bearing extensions 49 is sufficientto main- ..tain'the book support .in any position to which it may bemoved and to permit such movement without requiring movement of wingnuts '55.

Occasionally, however, it may be necessary to tighten orloosen thesewing nuts.

'Desirably an electric light bulb 56 is disposed in a casing 51 mountedonthe crossbar'23. Casing '51 is designed to shade the light bulb sothat .aLbeam of light is projected onto the book.

In all modifications, when it is desired to use the bookho1der,'booksupport 24 is moved to a suitable inclined position and the book placedthereon. The book is thus held in desired open position above the Workbench ll by the clips 3?. .In this position the book is readily visibleto the user who .is free to use both hands in following the instructionsgiven in the book. When it is no longer desired to use the cookbook itmay be removed from the holder and the latter raised to itsinconspicuous position underneath the cabinet. If desired, the holderwith the book thereon may be moved to this inconspicuous position.

It will be noted this invention provides a book 'holder, particularly acookbook holder, which holder can readily be-moved to maintain the bookinany desired adjusted position where it is readily visible to the userand may also be moved easily "to an inconspicuous position when not inuse.

The holder of this invention involves relatively few parts and isinexpensive to make. It supports the cookbook above the working surface,out of the way of the cooking utensils and ingredients, thus allowingmore working space and keeping the book clean. Furthermore, it maintainsthe book open within reading focus of the user while the latter isworking and leaves the user free to use both hands.

Since dilierent embodiments of the invention could be made withoutdeparting from the scope of this invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense. For example, the brackets l0 and ll could be secured to .a wall,bracket 3i! pivoted to one end of link 32 and secured to this wall thuspermitting mounting of the book holder on a wall rather than on theunderside of a kitchen cabinet, as shown in Figure "7. When the bookholder :is thus mounted on a wall, it is preferably maintained adjacentthe wall where it is inconspicuous when not in use; if it is desired touse the book holder it is then moved to a substantially horizontalposition in which it is maintained by the links 32 and 33.

What is claimed is:

'1. A kitchen book :holder comprising, in combination, a pair of spacedhorizontally extending bracket supports adapted to be secured to theunderside of a kitchen cabinet disposed .above a work bench, saidbracket supports having depending legs, bearing members on said .legs, asubstantially flat book support having a book engaging abutment at itsforward edge and having laterally projecting extensions at its top edgepivotally mounted in said beefing-members, a third horizontallyextending support also adapted to be secured to :the underside of saidkitchen cabinet, and pivoted links connecting said third horizontallyextending bracket support with a side ofsaid'book support.

2. A kitchen book holder comprising, in combination, a pair of spacedhorizontally extending bracket supports adapted to be secured to theunderside of a kitchen cabinet disposed above a work bench, said bracketsupports having vertically extending depending legs provided withhorizontally extending terminal portions, bearing members on saidhorizontally extending terminal portions, a substantially flat booksupport having a book engaging abutment at its forward edge and havinglaterally projecting extensions at its top edge disposed in .saidbearing members thus pivotally mounting said book support in saidbearing members, a third horizontally extending bracket support alsoadapted to be secured to the underside of said kitchen cabinet, a pairof links one of which has one end extending downwardly from said thirdhorizontally extending bracket and the other end pivoted to said otherlink which other link has its other end fastened to a side of said booksupport, and a friction member in the pivoted joint between said pair oflinks.

3. A kitchen book holder comprising, in combination, a pair of spacedhorizontally extending bracket supports adapted to be secured to theunderside of a kitchen cabinet disposed above a work bench, each of saidbracket supports having a depending portion provided with a terminalbearing portion, a book support having a book engaging abutment at itslower edge and having lateral extensions at its upper edgeadapted to fitwithin said bearing members to provide a pivoted mounting for said booksupport, a collar on each lateral extension disposed close to a bearingmember, a friction member between each collar and closely disposedbearing member, and means on each lateral extension for exertingclamping pressure on the friction member between each said collar andthe said closely disposed bearing member.

4. A book holder comprising, in combination, horizontally extendingbracket supports adapted to be secured to a horizontal surface andhaving depending legs, a third horizontally extending support alsoadapted to be secured to said horizontal surface and having a dependingleg, at substantially flat rectangular book support, means connectingthe upper corners of said book support with said depending le s of saidfirst-mentioned horizontal bracket supports for pivotal 6 movement ofsaid book support, and means connecting the depending leg 0! said thirdhorizontally extending support to a side of said book support tomaintain said book support in any desired position to which it may bemoved.

MARGARET L. SAECKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 547,720 Harris Oct. 8, 18951,017,121 Walsh Feb. 13, 1912 1,569,596 Walsh Jan. 12, 1926 1,852,723Orton et a1. Apr. 5, 1932 2,386,131 McCutchan Oct. 2, 1945

